CEOs in Health Care Discuss Challenges of Artificial Intelligence

By Joseph Walker, Peter Loftus and Brianna Abbott

Technology is reshaping health care, from pharmaceutical research to detecting opioid addiction, but the magnitude and pace of change isn’t always as dramatic as some had hoped a few years ago, industry leaders said at The Wall Street Journal Health Forum on Tuesday.

Novartis AG Chief Executive Vas Narasimhan said that for now, the opportunities presented by artificial intelligence are on the margin. “It’s another tool in the toolbox,” he said.

Doctors, insurers and drugmakers are experimenting with digital technology at a brisk pace after years of watching from the sidelines as ubiquitous internet access and smartphones disrupted nearly every other sector of the economy. They hope automation and data-driven predictions can create new efficiencies in an industry that contributes nearly 18% of U.S. gross domestic product.